It was one of the keynote policies of the previous Balearic government, a cap on cruise ships visiting Palma. But now the Federation of Small to Medium Sized Business Associations (PIMEM) is demanding that the local authorities have a rethink because "shops are suffering". Under the present legislation and to avoid overcrowding in the city, only three cruise ships are allowed in the port at any one time. But business leaders want it abolished.
"Tourists only come to Palma when there is bad weather and we have to survive on the local trade and visiting cruise ship passengers," the association has said in a statement. The Balearic government introduced the cap following complaints from Palma residents of overcrowding but it appears that it has hit the takings of shops, bars and restaurants.
It is has been reported that the spending by tourists this summer is lower than previous years and local businesses are feeling the pinch.
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No Andy - it must be true … ‘cos Venice and Amsterdam have both gone broke since TOTALLY banning cruise ships. Of course they do have cleaner air now. Their seas have lost the disgusting cruise pollution crust. And, you can actually walk down the street without being trampled by thousands of ‘cheap as chips’ day trippers, rushing to get back to their plague ships for their free buffet grub. But, the illegal street sellers have been hit hard. And the tat-shops are in serious danger of, being forced to sell something of value. It’s outrageous!!! Time to get real - the only thing these plague ships actually bring is a plague … of pollution, environmental destruction, over crowding and cheap tourism. If that’s what the politicians want for mallorca - we are all doomed.
Don't listen to these moaners, all these fat badly dressed cruise ship people only buy an ice cream and some tat with Palma written on it. They don't eat or drink as they get that all inclusive on the boat. So what if a few seedy souvenir shops go bust. Better that than hordes of old grim people wandering the streets of Palma looking for a free loo.